1997–2002 She co-founded Amateur Architecture Studio in 1997, alongside business partner
Wang Shu, in
Hangzhou, China. They chose the name as a rebuke of the "professional, soulless architecture" practiced in China, which they believe has contributed to the large-scale demolition of many old urban neighborhoods. The practice became known for its use of natural materials such as wood, stones, and mud, bringing in aspects of the greater landscape. In 2013 Lu Wenyu was quoted stating that "[At Amateur Architecture Studio] we spend an enormous amount of time experimenting, trying to resurrect the craftsmanship that is almost lost. We use a method that is passed on, hand-to-hand, to re-establish tradition instead of talking about abstract but empty concepts."
2003–present She worked on the
Ningbo History Museum from 2003 until 2008. Around 2012, she had taught a course for several years at
Harvard’s
Graduate School of Design. They later showcased materials used in the rebuild at the 2016 Venice architecture biennale. In July 2016, she and Shu gave the annual architecture lecture at
The Royal Academy. In 2017, some work by Lu Wenyu was exhibited in
Louisiana, including photographs, models and material samples in three galleries. The first included a model of Xiangshan Campus, the third included features from the
Ningbo History Museum. She and Wang also designed Huang Gonwang Museum, located in
Fuyang. ==Awards==